Follow UsEngland skipper Ben Stokes made a century, picked a five-wicket haul and also provided the important wicket of KL Rahul when the latter was having a match-saving 188-run partnership with Indian skipper Shubman Gill at the start of Day 5 of the Manchester Test.
Yet, even after all his efforts and achievements, England could not win the fourth Test of the five-match series on the fifth day on July 27 (Sunday).
Speaking after the end of the game, Stokes, the England captain, said that he would give all his personal achievements if his team could get that win and seal the series, already having a 2-1 lead coming into the game.
“ [I] will give it all back if we get the result. [I] asked the guys up there to run through a brick wall for the team, and I'll do the same,” said Stokes, who was also adjudged Player of the Match for his six wickets and 141 runs with the bat.
Talking about his own fitness, the English captain, who did not bowl on Day 4, said, “Bowling, being on the field, is tough work. Pretty sore (his body). Obviously, we have got through a fair number of overs. Everything starts creeping up on you.”
The right-handed batter also talked about the Manchester wicket, which, according to him, became flatter as the game progressed. He also credited the Indian batters for showing character on the last day’s pitch.
“As the game progressed, the wicket sort of became easier to bat on. There was variable bounce for the right-handers, but not much for the left-handers. Heapload of credit to the way Washington and Jadeja played there,” he said.
Now, with an unassailable 2-1 lead, England will head to The Oval in London to try and eke out a win and get the series 3-1, and if not, then at least draw the game and take the series 2-1.